Statement regarding cracked beams in the new Royal

Aidan Kehoe, chief executive, said:

"We are aware that cracks were identified by Carillion and that these have been or will be fixed to ensure that the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital is safe. The fixing of these beams is partly responsible for the delay in opening the new Royal."

“The new hospital will be assessed independently and rigorously for its safety before the Trust accepts handover of the building.

"I would like to reassure the people of Liverpool that the safety of our patients and staff is not something we would compromise. This independent testing is part of the contract we have with the Hospital Company (Liverpool) and we will not move into the new Royal unless the safety of the building has been verified independently."